Criminal Justice (Courts)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 985: An Act to build restorative family and community connection

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1720) of Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford, Mike Connolly, James B. Eldridge and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to regulating visits in state prisons and correctional facilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill regulates prison visitation to strengthen family connections, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism in corrections (core criminal justice reform principles).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2091: An Act relative to court officers injured on duty

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1849) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation relative to court officers injured on duty. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides protection/support for court officers injured on duty, directly strengthening court system personnel safety within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1334: An Act removing state funded counsel for sex offender classification hearings

HD 1334 removes state-funded legal representation for indigent individuals in sex offender classification hearings. The bill amends Chapter 6, Section 178L of the General Laws to eliminate provisions requiring the board or court to appoint counsel for those deemed indigent under Chapter 211D standards. It replaces language guaranteeing "the right to have counsel appointed" with only the right to "retain counsel," meaning offenders must pay for their own attorney. This directly affects low-income individuals facing administrative sex offender classification decisions. The change removes both the obligation to provide state-appointed counsel and the requirement to inform offenders of this right.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves state-funded counsel for indigent defendants in sex offender hearings, reducing access to legal representation and defendant rights per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2540: An Act relating to threats of suicide while in court custody (Stavri’s Law)

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1238) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation relative to threats of suicide while in court custody (Stavri’s Law). The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill addresses suicide threats in court custody, aiming to protect individuals' safety within the criminal justice system, aligning with protective civil rights measures.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1067: An Act addressing school exclusion policies to remedy disparities in students' educational achievement

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 376) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to promote the education success of court involved children. Education.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill targets court-involved children's education to reduce disparities, aligning with criminal justice reform by addressing root causes of system involvement.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAddresses school exclusion policies to remedy disparities in student achievement, directly advancing educational equity for court-involved children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2222: An Act to establish privileged contact with members of the general court

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1727) of Liz Miranda for legislation to protect the confidentiality of communications with members of the general court and inmates. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects inmate communication confidentiality, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice (inmates are part of corrections system).80% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3636: An Act relative to controlling and abusive litigation

This bill creates a new legal framework to address abusive lawsuits between family or household members where one party has been found to have committed abuse. It defines "controlling and abusive litigation" as legal actions primarily intended to harass, intimidate, or maintain contact with a victim, often involving repetitive claims or lacking legal merit. Victims can request court orders restricting such litigation, which would require courts to verify abuse history and litigation patterns before imposing penalties. If found abusive, the case is dismissed with prejudice, and the perpetrator must pay all costs, attorney fees, and faces a 48-72 month ban on filing new lawsuits.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects abuse victims from harassing litigation by abusers, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim safety and preventing legal system abuse in domestic violence cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3966: An Act relative to the exposure of public safety officials to HIV

This bill (HD 3966) allows certain public safety workers to seek court-ordered HIV testing of individuals who exposed them to blood or bodily fluids during their duties. It directly affects law enforcement officers, healthcare providers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and paramedics. The key provision lets these workers petition a court for an order compelling the testing of the person who caused the exposure; results are shared only with the affected worker and their medical provider. The bill does not change existing HIV testing rules but creates a specific legal process for these workers after exposure incidents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides legal mechanism for law enforcement to seek HIV testing after exposure, enhancing officer safety within criminal justice operations.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables public safety workers to obtain court-ordered HIV testing post-exposure, directly protecting their health access and medical information under public health protocols.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides workplace safety protection for public safety workers by enabling court-ordered HIV testing after exposure incidents, directly strengthening worker safety protocols.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3556: An Act prohibiting court ordered visitation rights to any persons convicted of criminal offenses against a minor

This bill prohibits courts from ordering unsupervised visitation between parents convicted of specific crimes against minors and their children. It directly affects parents convicted of offenses listed in Chapter 265 (e.g., sexual abuse, child endangerment) and Chapter 272 (e.g., child exploitation, trafficking) of the Massachusetts General Laws. The prohibition applies unless the child is of "suitable age" to consent and a court-appointed guardian ad litem determines the visitation is in the child’s best interest. The bill amends Sections 28 of Chapter 208 and Section 37 of Chapter 209 in the General Laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits visitation for offenders against minors, enhancing victim protection in criminal justice system per bill's explicit focus on preventing harm to minors through court orders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1712: An Act to ensure the ability to prosecute repeat OUI offenses

HD 1712 ensures that sealed prior OUI (Operating Under the Influence) convictions can be used as evidence in repeat offense cases. It amends Chapter 90 of the General Laws to override a provision in Chapter 276 that previously made sealed OUI records inadmissible in court. This means prosecutors can present past OUI convictions - even if legally sealed - when charging drivers with repeat offenses. The bill directly affects individuals facing second or subsequent OUI charges in Massachusetts.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAllows sealed OUI convictions to be used in repeat prosecutions, reducing defendant rights and expanding prosecutorial reach in criminal cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track